My Top Picks for the Costa Book Awards 2018 Categories | ad

TL;DR

A book reviewer selects her top five picks from the shortlist of the 2018 Costa Book Awards.

Transcript

hi guys it's that time with you again I know there's a million things that could mean I know but it is the time where the cost of Book Awards picks some of the best and greatest works of literature written by authors from the UK and Ireland and brings them to our attention through various different categories know the cost of book Awards is a prize... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 The Costa Book Awards celebrate the best works of literature from the UK and Ireland in various categories.
• 📔 The selected books cover a range of genres and themes, from crime fiction to war retellings.
• 👶 The awards provide an opportunity to discover new and talented authors.
• 🫱 The shortlisted books delve into important social and historical topics, such as the experiences of women in war.
• 🛟 Benjamin Zephaniah's memoir offers a personal and insightful account of his life, activism, and career as a poet.
• ☠️ Bone Talk introduces readers to Filipino history, culture, and folklore through an engaging children's novel.
• 🫱 Assurances takes a contemporary approach to the tradition of war poetry, exploring the impact of nuclear weapons.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the Costa Book Awards?

The Costa Book Awards is an established literary prize in the UK and Ireland, previously known as the Whitbread prize before rebranding in 2006. It has been running since 1971 and celebrates the best works of literature in various categories.

Q: How are the winners selected?

Shortlists are announced for each category, and from those winners are chosen. Finally, the best book of the year is selected from the winners of each category.

Q: What is unique about The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle?

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton is a debut novel that combines elements of Agatha Christie-style crime fiction with a paranormal twist. The protagonist wakes up in a different guest's body every morning, forced to solve a murder mystery.

Q: What themes are explored in The Silence of the Girls?

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker retells the story of the Trojan War from the perspective of Briseis, a Trojan Queen who becomes a sex slave to the Greek hero Achilles. It explores the experiences of women affected by war, shedding light on their perspectives and challenges.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Costa Book Awards select the best works of literature from the UK and Ireland and present awards in five categories: debut novel, novel by a previously published author, poetry, children's book, and biography.

• The reviewer has chosen her favorite book from each category, regardless of whether they win the award or not.

• The selected books include The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, Bone Talk by Candy Gourlay, The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah by Benjamin Zephaniah, and Assurances by Jo Morgan.